Just my thoughts about my daughter and motherhood in general, about the whole international adoption thing and our daily lives. You can follow us as I attempt muddle through the impact adoption has on our family and my attempts at being a good mom.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

"Ronald Reagan was put in the plans of God for just the time that he was needed. Reagan had the beliefs, the temperament, the personality, the skills and everything else that was needed for just that moment in American and world history. For once, 20th Century America got it right when it came to selecting its servant-in-chief. But, he’s gone and there is no other – certainly not these cheap Reagan imposters that fashion themselves suitable for the White House in this cycle. And I mean every one of them – no one excluded.

"In the selection process of this cycle, and those to come in the future, we should be seeking out the “next Lincoln”, if you will. We should be looking for the one that will make Reagan a fond memory. We need the one that is specially and specifically anointed by God for THIS time, and the challenges that we face at THIS moment. And you can be sure it won’t be anyone that closely resembles the great Reagan. It’s going to be someone that can achieve greatness through the power of an unique and genuine set of qualities that we may have never witnessed before from a conservative. That person will not “look” like Reagan, will not “sound” like Reagan, will not govern like Reagan."

The link to read the rest is in the title. God Bless Apostle Claver Kamau-Imani.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Praise God! Geert Wilders was acquitted for the phony crimes of "hate speech" when all he did was tell the truth. Now the defender of the freedoms of the Netherlands is again free to continue his defense against Islam. He not only speaks for the Netherlands but for all free people who are facing the real threat of Sharia law being forced upon them through the criminalization of speaking the truth. Any time you hear "hate speech" realize it is the way the opposition seeks to shut you up.

Here is his web page. May do a body good to peruse through to see for what he stands. He is an amazing man with a true vision and ability to lead. I hope the Dutch people are appreciative of what has happened over the last 5 years with the persecution (yes persecution not only the attempted prosecution) of Geert Wilders and how big this is for him to be acquitted.

I am praying for his continued safety and ability to continue to speak out for freedom's sake.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

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There is a challenge going on right now for bloggers through IZEA, a chance to go to Paris for the blogger with the most referrals. I would love to take G to Paris and show her the city of lights. Wouldn't that be a fun early Christmas or birthday present?

Oh to win, I will wish and wish. Interested in helping me just click this link and sign up to make money on your own blog posts. It really is very easy.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Truly this is a book full of common sense strategies for making changes in your life. The biggest key however is your own personal willingness to change. There is no motivation that can be purchased in book form or personal trainer or exercise equipment in this world unless you are personally ready to make the change. This book is good at helping you keep your focus on the day to day task of changing because that ultimately is how to do it. One step at a time, one day at a time, never looking back because you can't change the past. Never looking forward because God doesn't promise tomorrow. (That doesn't negate future goals and planning) But victory in change comes daily!

If you are ready to make a change in your life and would like encouragement from someone who has personally succeeded then this is the book for you. Check it out.

I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review. My opinions are 100% mine.

Reggie is a motivational speaker with a personal story that will inspire. His personal life motto is "You can't change your past, but you can change your future" is truly worth adopting as my own. He came from what some would say is the best reason to have abortion legalized though his mom chose to give him life and a hope. He lived with foster parents who loved him as their own flesh. The mother did not give up rights to him though for a final adoption but that didn't stop his parents from instilling in him the love and guidance he would need to navigate that past. He has a story of redemption of his life and his life's story to share with the world.

If you want a good summer read, pick Reggie up.

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my review. The opinions are 100% mine.

Monday, June 20, 2011

or in G's view the mouth of the lion's den. She has been begging me not to make her go, but she needs to, and I am sure it will be different this year. I dropped her off this morning, and sure enough she started crying. I picked her up and carried her to a quiet corner to hold her, just to reassure her. I prayed over her for courage, and by the time I left she was playing connect 4 with a little girl who was 6 1/2 (her introduction of herself was about her bday being in October). G and I both thought she was older, but turns out G is not the youngest one this year.

I reminded G of all the things she would be able to do that she loved doing last year like paper cuts, working with clay, abacus, writing in Chinese. I told my mom yesterday that my sympathy was gone over her not wanting to go, but I don't like leaving her crying. Praying for a better day tomorrow and a wonderful busy first day today.

You should have heard the stories G was spinning about how bad camp was last year and the number of bullies she encountered there. She can sure make up stories. What a great imagination. Now I need to redirect it to positive output rather than trying to get out of doing what she needs to do.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

"This famous name was coined by Captain William Driver, a shipmaster of Salem, Massachusetts, in 1831. As he was leaving on one of his many voyages aboard the brig CHARLES DOGGETT - and this one would climax with the rescue of the mutineers of the BOUNTY - some friends presented him with a beautiful flag of twenty four stars. As the banner opened to the ocean breeze for the first time, he exclaimed "Old Glory!""

The history of the name "Old Glory" is found here. It is fascinating and wonderful all at the same time. Also, with the history there are pictures of the flags in different forms, from the original 13 colonies to the final 50 states.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Nothing yet. The one guy never called back nor could the realtors get in touch with him. Then there was a girl and her mom who saw it last week but then dad had to see it yesterday. No word yet. So I suppose I shall receive the official foreclosure information soon as it was supposed to start on June 6. I haven't spoken with the bank nor have I received a request for information as of yet. It doesn't look good, my cyberfriends. Please keep praying. The miracle hasn't happened and yet I still will choose to trust even if God does not come through the way I wish Him to do.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Today G and I went to the Farmer's Market with a friend. G brought her own money and got a wonderful powder doughnut and water. It was lovely morning even though it was hot. I found lots of great finds like tomatoes, green beans, lovely bread, and coffee for father's day.

I didn't buy fresh flowers but they were so pretty today.

G thought they weren't real so she had to touch and see.I dislike cabbage but this was in a bushel basket.

The tomatoes were wonderful. We had BLTs for lunch, yum!

Then we headed into town to the House of Mews a cat rescue center. It was closed but still fun to look through and peek at the cats. There were two ladies tending to them, cleaning cages etc.

Across the street was a new/used book store. G looked through the $1 rack and found 9 books. Then we found a Junie B. Jones book elsewhere for $1. When we checked out, however, we discovered 8 books were only $.25, 1 was $.70 and then the Junie B. for a grand total of $4.04 for 10 books. Really, you can't beat that! And it was all G's money on the books.

Friday, June 10, 2011

This is difficult reading for one because I can't get enough quiet time alone to really delve into it. The other reason is that it is as if the book were written today with all the calls for people to be poor basically by working less and owning less you know for the moral good of the earth?

More people have been forced on to food stamps thanks to Obama's version of America than in recent history. People understand that if some are getting "free" to them food or insurance or gas or money then why should they work? What is the point of working to provide for yourself in a world where that is no longer looked upon as a virtue? Literally, I almost cried last night while reading because this book describes America's socialist/communist future as the new Obamerca.

It is definitely a scary time here and abroad. I hope the majority of those individuals who voted for Hope and Change the Obama way have come to their senses!!

"For well over a decade, the Amazon Associates Program has worked with a large number of Arkansas residents. Unfortunately, a new state tax law signed by Governor Beebe compels us to terminate this program for Arkansas-based participants. It specifically imposes the collection of taxes from consumers on sales by online retailers - including but not limited to those referred by Arkansas-based affiliates like you - even if those retailers have no physical presence in the state.

"We opposed this new tax law because it is unconstitutional and counterproductive. It was supported by big-box retailers that seek to harm the affiliate advertising programs of their competitors. Similar legislation in other states has led to job and income losses, and little, if any, new tax revenue. We deeply regret that its enactment forces this action. The unfortunate consequences of this legislation on Arkansas residents like you were explained to the legislature, including Senate and House leadership, as well as to the Governor's staff.

"As a result of the new law, contracts with all Arkansas residents participating in the Amazon Associates Program will be terminated on July 24, 2011. Those Arkansas residents will no longer receive advertising fees for sales referred to Amazon.com , Endless.com , MYHABIT.COM or SmallParts.com . Please be assured that all qualifying advertising fees earned on or before July 24, 2011 will be processed and paid in full in accordance with the regular payment schedule.

"You are receiving this email because our records indicate that you are a resident of Arkansas. If you are not currently a resident of Arkansas, or if you are relocating to another state in the near future, you can manage the details of your Associates account here . And if you relocate to another state after July 24, 2011, please contact us for reinstatement into the Amazon Associates Program.

"To avoid confusion, we would like to clarify that this development will only impact our ability to continue to offer the Associates Program to Arkansas residents and will not affect their ability to purchase from www.amazon.com .

"We have enjoyed working with you and other Arkansas-based participants in the Amazon Associates Program and, if this situation is rectified, would very much welcome the opportunity to re-open our Associates Program to Arkansas residents.

This morning I was discussing G's summer arrangements which will find her spending lots of nights with the grandparents. G is really growing up and now is able to brush and comb her own hair even putting it in a low pony for night time. She has very long hair by the way which is as crookedly cut as anything I have ever seen.

So I asked her if she was going to show Grammie how she can take care of her own hair now and she said that she wouldn't show her. I said, "How will you brush it so she doesn't see?" G told me she would go to one of eight hiding places at her grammie's house.

I asked her where they were and she listed them, the first being "The place where I asked Jesus to come into my heart that time." Just melted me, don't ya' know?

The temperature today at 7:44 am when this picture was taken was already 83 degrees. The sun is bright and shiny so that is the reason for the closed eye in pic. That sack lunch she has made her so happy this morning. She didn't take her back pack and so really she has nothing to bring home after school today. After today she is a 2nd grader!! WOOT!

In case you can't read this I will type it just as she wrote it and then as it should be spelled.If I Were the President:

"If I were the president. I wuold teech people how to lean about God. And wershup God. and go to church evry Sunday. and make them like hores. And chidren lean about God. And under sand about God."

[If I were the president, I would teach people how to learn about God, and worship God. And go to church every Sunday. And make them like horses. And children learn about God. And understand about God.]

Monday, June 06, 2011

I typically bring her home like this. She fell asleep within 5 minutes of driving out of the driveway. She swam twice, played on the computer, watched TV, played out side, helped water plants, generally had loads of fun and fell asleep on the 15 minute drive home.

Wednesday, June 01, 2011

Over 50 pages of receipts (some two and three to a page) and documents to prove I am owed the adoption tax credit roll over (I think it is thicker than the original dossier). The envelope the I8R8S sent was not sufficient to hold or mail all of the proof they need. I am praying they still have the original documents I sent of the foreign/translated adoption decree and the county registration documents I submitted with my 1040, the first time.

Of the receipts I am sending soon (like tomorrow) the total came to $18,514.46. That doesn't include the travel I paid for my parents or a lot of the meals we paid for in China. I don't have canceled checks either I have a bank statement with the copies of the checks that cleared. I sent them all not blocking out any other checks on the statement. I have a printout explaining each document line by line attached as well.

I am praying this will be enough. Really I don't have any more proof that the tax credit is valid other than my daughter and I don't think she would copy or mail well, heh.